8 pharma companies doubled lobbying spend in Q1

There were eight pharmaceutical companies that more than doubled their lobbying contributions in the first quarter of 2017 over the same period last year, according to a Kaiser Health Newsreport.

The increased spending comes at a time when President Donald Trump has been critical of the drug industry and legislators including Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., John McCain, R-Ariz., and Rep. Elijah E. Cummins, D-Md., introduced bills aimed at lowering drug costs and allowing imports from Canada and other countries.

Last quarter the 38 major drug companies and trade organizations spent around $50.9 million, a more than $10 million increase over the first quarter of 2016. Here are the eight companies that more than doubled their spending on lobbying last quarter: